Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Taxpayers foot $110,054 bill for premiers conference swag

HALIFAX — Most Nova Scotians weren’t invited to the swanky party, but they paid for it. During last year’s premiers’ conference in Halifax, taxpayers coughed up $110,054.90 for a meeting steeped in swag.

The bill included $1,653 for whiskey tumblers with the Titanic etched on them, $1,625 for 25 cheese boards with beeswax, $1,875 for Diamond Jubilee leather journals, $4,940 for ‘Taste of Nova Scotia’ crates and $35,654.35 for 400 fleece jackets.

“Nova Scotians pay some of highest taxes in all of Canada, yet our politicians act like there is money to burn,” said Kevin Lacey, Atlantic Canada Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

“Why are taxpayers shelling out for swag and gifts for Canada’s premiers? Our politicians should treat taxpayers’ money like it’s their own. That means rather than spending thousands on expensive loot bags, they should set the example and govern frugally.”

Federal taxpayers handed over $72,691.57, while Nova Scotia’s share was an extra $37,363.33.

The premiers’ conference was held July 25-27 and focussed on federal issues, including energy production.


The provincial NDP government responded to the report from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation by pointing out that Lacey is a former Tory staffer and the previous Progressive Conservative government had used tax dollars to snag swag, too.

“Mr. Lacey’s Conservative Government spent almost five times as much in 2002, including $12,000 for golf shirts and $3,300 for crystal wine carafes,” said NDP MLA Mat Whynott.

Original Article
Source: cnews.canoe.ca
Author: Kris Sims

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